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Rangers remain in contact with Lohse's agent

MLB.com's Hot Stove analysts look at the teams potentially in the market for free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse after his career year in 2012

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers continue to dance with the possibility of signing free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse, and they have remained in contact with agent Scott Boras.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels won't talk about specific players, but acknowledged the club is still considering the possibility of adding starting pitching. Right now, Texas' fifth starter comes down to a competition between Martin Perez, Justin Grimm and possibly Robbie Ross.

But the Rangers are also looking at free agents, and Lohse, who won 16 games for the Cardinals this past season, is the best available starting pitcher on that list.

"There are still some players that in the right scenario that could be fits for us," Daniels said. "We like our club, but we're not doing our job if we're not looking at every player available."

Beyond Lohse, the remaining free-agent starters are a mixed bag of older pitchers who are coming off injury, a subpar season or have simply passed their prime.

"There is a reasonable chance that we could add somebody from outside," Daniels said. "It could be someone on a Minor League contract who is part of the competition, but we could still add somebody on a guaranteed contract that will preempt the competition."

Lohse would certainly do that. He won't come cheap, but the Rangers still have the financial resources to maintain an active dialogue with Boras.

As far as being able to add payroll, Daniels said, "Within reason. Our ownership group has been outstanding. Any baseball move we've needed to make, they have been really supportive. Within reason, it's not unlimited, but we have room to maneuver."